THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


mWJ 


A 


GREAT  WAR 

AND 

OTHER  POEMS 


CONTENTS 

The  Kaiser's  Illusion „ -  8-  9 

A  Prayer  for  Belgium _ — 10 

Appeal  for  Belgium „ ..11 

Invasion  of  Belgium  and  France — 12 

Peace  vs.  War. _ 13 

Peace    _ „ _ -.. 14 

Belgium  „ _ _ _ 15 

Th e    Lusitani a ~ _ 1 6 

A  Question _ 17 

He  Alone  Is  Great 18 

The  Patriot's  vs.  The  Fool's  Paradise 19 

Americans,    Awake! 20 

The  Heroes  of  Vimy  Ridge 21 

The   Skulkers _ 22 

The    Cry _ 23 

In  the  Red  Cross  Hospitals 24 

Addressed  to  200  Navy  Lads 25 

Saw  100,000  Land 26 

Vive!    Joffre     The  Great  Tide 27 

Plymouth's  Welcome  Home  _ „ 28 

Plymouth's  Fallen  Heroes 29 

The  Spartan  Mother. 30-31 

Awake!    Plymouth 32 

Plymouth's  70th  Anniversary  Invitation 33 


V 


7?  36035^ 


CONTENTS 

Sing  It  Now 34 

The  Friends  of  Years  Long  Ago 35 

Universal   Melody 36 

Life _ - -.37 

Spring  and  Winter 38 

Nature's  Laws 39 

Spring    „ 40 

June    41 

October 42 

Spring    Voices 43 

Sleep  44 

Lonely    45 

To    Mother 46 

Sowing  and'  Reaping __....48 

Be  Valiant  _ u - 49 

An  Artist's  Birthday _ 50 

Jesus  51 

In  Memory  of  J.  Franklin  Burke 52 

The  Pocono  Mountains 54-55 

Lake    George 56 

A  Tragedy  of  the  Hunt 58 

In  the  Country  Doctor's  Office 59 

The  City's  Wall  Street 60-61 


& 


PREFACE 

These  poems  were  written  as  a  diversion,  with  no  thought 
of  their  inviting  publicity.  They  were  written  in  the  night 
hour,  on  railroad  trains,  amid  Nature's  charms,  and  some 
were  prompted  by  the  savage  deeds  of  the  German  hosts.  I 
have  published  them  for  you,  my  children,  and  my  dear 
friends,  as  a  memento,  and  in  the  hope  that)  they  will  awaken 
memories  in  the  days  to  come. 

Affectionately  yours, 

CHARLES  LeRETT  RICE. 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
December,  1921. 


A  VISION  OF  PEACE 

Hail,  Hail,  the  coming  of  the  golden  day, 

Bright  vision  of  the  distant  past, 
When  warring  sons  of  God  shall  stay 

The  tide  of  War,  and  Peace  shall  reign  at  last. 

Hail,  Hail,  the  vision  of  the  golden  years, 
When  they  who  mourn  shall  comfort  find 

In  One  who  "wipes  away  all  tears," 
And  speaks  in  words  so  wonderfully  kind. 

If  sons  who  fought  shall  ever  more  inherit 
(Those  sons  whose  eyes  were  blind  with  hate) 

The  blessing  for  "the  poor  in  Spirit" 
All  shall  be  well,  tho'  homes  are  desolate. 


1916. 


THE  KAISER'S  ILLUSION 

'An  unreal  image  presented  to  the  mental  vision" — Webster. 

High  up  upon  a  rock  at  rest, 
In  cavern  like  aface  the  Sea, 
An  Eagle  sat  upon  her  nest, 
Her  eye  cast  out  upon  the  lea. 

The  sun  had  set  upon  the  west, 
Its  golden  streams  of  evening  rays, 
Following  the  storm  that  smote  the  crest, 
Gave  promise  of  more  peaceful  days. 

All  nations  dwelt  in  peaceful  mood, 
The  ocean's  calm,  and  forest  trees, 
Were  quiet  signs  of  all  that  stood 
For  peace  on  sea  and  inland  leas. 

When  night  had  cast  its  shadows  o'er 
The  landscapes  charm  and  ocean's  power, 
Then  from  the  sky  a  lightning  shaft 
Smote  rock  and  eagle's  nest  abaft, 
And  they  were  cast  upon  the  shore 
And  lashed  with  waves  in  Ocean's  roar. 

The  Kaiser  stood  with  arms  at  rest 
In  Castle  built  beyond  the  sea, 
An  eagle  blazoned  on  his  crest, 
His  eye  cast  out  upon  the  lea. 

All  Nations  dwelt  in  peaceful  mood, 
Commerce  and  trade  with  each  was  good', 
And  naught  but  fame  and  power  could  swerve 
The  monarch  born  with  iron  nerve. 

But  fame  and  power  won  him  at  last, 
And  from  the  castle  and  the  tower 
Defied  the  world  with  trumpet  blast, 
To  prove  in  war  his  nation's  power. 

8 


The  lightning  stroke  of  justice  sent 
By  nations  who  were  spurned  as  chaff, 
Shall  fill  the  cup  to  his  content, 
And  strike  the  eagle's  crest  abaft 

When  war  has  cast  its  shadows  o'er 
The  homes  of  those  who  mourn  the  slain, 
Of  millions  dead  by  kingly  power, 
God  in  His  wrath  shall  judge  again. 

When  fleets  are  cast  upon  the  shore, 
And  War-lords  flout  the  world  no  more, 
Then  Peace  shall  hover  like  a  dove, 
And  men  shall  know  that  from  above, 
The  King  Eternal  still  shall  reign 
Throughout  the  Earth  from  main  to  main. 


1914. 


1914. 


A  PRAYER  FOR  BELGIUM 

O!  God  of  Peace,  with  pitying  eye 
For  Belgium's  host  who  bleed  and  die, 
How  long  shall  terror  strike  the  land 
From  brutal  foes  who  raise  the  hand 
To  slay  the  young,  the  old,  the  brave; 
Is  there  no  arm  of  might  to  save? 

The  German  host  has  prayed  to  Thee, 
To  give  their  armies  victory; 
Invade  the  homes  of  those  who  sought 
In  peaceful  ways  which  Thou  hast  taught 
To  till  the  land,  and  shield  the  State 
From  nations  born  in  pride  and  hate. 

Avenge  the  hate,  the  wrath,  the  lust 
Of  the  invading,  cruel  host, 
Who  call  on  Thee  in  them  to  trust 
For  victory,  and  then  to  boast 
That  Thou  hast  been  the  victor's  God, 
And  joined  the  cause  of  their  war  lord. 

O!  God  of  Love,  bow  down  to  hear 
The  cry  of  Belgium's  poor  and  brave, 
Unsheath  Thy  sword,  let  Nations  fear 
To  crush  the  Souls  which  Thou  canst  save. 

In  ages  past  their  land  has  tolled 
The  march  of  Huns  and  victors  bold, 
The  scourge  of  war  has  been  their  lot; 
Avenge  and  save,  O!  WILT  THOU  NOT? 


10 


APPPEAL  FOR  BELGIUM 

Arouse  ye  men  by  truth  and  valor  tried, 
And  listen  to  the  cry  of  Belgium's  host, 
Sons  of  heirs  have  fought  and  bravely  died 
To  prove  her  soul  of  honor  was  not  lost. 

Defiled  by  those  who  pledged  their  honor  true 
To  hold  in  peace  the  land  that  nations  guard 
As  neutral,  and  secure  by  honor  due 
From  kings  and  princes,  pledge  of  their  reward. 

False  pledge,  in  hate  and  fierce  anger  broken 

By  ruthless  foes  without  a  warrant  given, 

As  Belgium  gave  in  peace  a  royal  token, 

Her  towers  of  strength  by  ruthless  foes  are  riven. 

And   devastation  follows  in  the  train 
Of  armies  that  invade  and  scorch  the  land, 
Shall  treaties  seek  the  face  of  those  again, 
Who  soon  shall  feel  the  world's  avenging  hand? 

Her  towers  of  strength  and  beauty  riven, 
Her  temples  torn  by  cannon's  ruthless  blast, 
Her  people  cry  to  you  and  God  in  Heaven 
For  strength  to  overcome  the  foe  at  last. 

Her  homes  shall  mourn  for  years  to  come, 
The  lost,  and  desolate  shall  be  the  fields 
Her  sons  have  tilled,  their  life  work  done; 
And  Belgium,  stricken,  to  our  heart  appeals. 

Shall  Justice  by  false  issues  be  defied 
And  mocked  by  war  lords  without  heart? 
Shall  virtue,  truth  and  honor  not  abide 
With  nations  bound  by  treaties,  torn  apart? 


1914. 


11 


INVASION  OF  BELGIUM  AND  FRANCE 

Today  the  Sun,  proud  Monarch  of  the  sky, 
Has  round  this  little  earth  its  sunbeams  cast 
On  homes  bereft  of  loved  ones,  once  to  die 
Defending  homes,  now  shadows  of  the  past. 

The  pity  of  it  all  that  sons  of  peace 
Should  victims  fall  before  assailing  hosts, 
Relentless  foes  of  those  who  sought  release 
From  tides  of  warriors  surging  to  their  coasts. 

Another  Monarch  from  the  boundless  space 
Of  God's  great  firmament  of  peaceful  sway, 
Looks  down  on  demons,  void  of  pitying  face, 
Who  pierce  and  kill  their  victims  day  by  day. 

A  fearful  record,  bound  and  closed  at  last, 

Before  the  court  of  heavens  great  assize, 

Shall  face  their  foes,  invaders  of  the  past, 

Whose  souls  shall  quail  before  their  victims'  cries. 

And  those  who  cast  the  die  for  war, 
And  boast  that  they  have  won  the  land 
By  right,  the  conquered  hold  no  more, 
Before  the  Judge — shall  speechless  stand. 


1914. 


12 


1914. 


PEACE  VS.  WAR 

When  fleets  are  cast  upon  the  shore, 
And  war-lords  flout  the  World  no  more, 
A  mighty  power  shall  seal  the  fate 
Of  nations  locked  in  strife  and  hate. 

Injustice,  wrath  and  vain  ambition 
Can  never  gain  the  World's  applause, 
Nur  e\er  bring  to  full  fruition 
The  soul's  desire  for  righteous  laws. 

The  ',kies  that  now  are  hid  from  sight 
With  clouds  of  darkness  from  above, 
Shall  then  appear  forever  bright, 
When  men  observe  the  law  of  Love. 


13 


1914. 


PEACE 

All  neutral  sons  shall  hail  the  day, 
When  warring  hosts  their  hands  shall  stay 
This  world's  sad  tragedy; 
When  weary  hearts  to  hearts  shall  yield 
A  pledge  of  friendship  on  the  field 
Now  fraught  with  destiny. 

When   brothers   from   their  hearts   shall   say, 

We've  fought  our  fight  and  hail  the  day, 

And  pledge  it  with  our  life ; 

When  greed  of  power  and  lust  shall  cease, 

And  those  at  war  shall  give  release 

To  weary  sons  of  strife. 

Who  has  lost  faith  in  wrongs  redressed, 
Of  sons  with  heavy  hearts  oppressed, 
Or  born  of  poverty? 
For  He  who  guides  through  starry  space 
The  suns  and  worlds  that  run  their  race 
Shall  judge  in  equity. 


14 


1915. 


BELGIUM 

Belgium!  the  hearts  that  beat  for  thee 
Are  hearts  of  hope  for  Belgium, 
For  weak  and  strong,  who  fought  the  wrong 
That  drove  thee  to  the  sea. 

Belgium !  the  hands  that  work  for  thee 
Are  hands  of  friends  for  Belgium, 
To  help  thee  rise  and  see  the  skies 
That  shine  with  destiny. 

Belgium !  the  boys  that  fight  for  thee 
Are  sons  of  toil  in  Belgium, 
With  others  brave  they  try  to  save 
Thy  coast,  and  set  thee  free. 

Belgium !  the  souls  that  mourn  for  thee 
Would  fight  for  truth  and  Belgium, 
And  we  are  free  across  the  sea 
To  work  and  pray  for  Belgium. 


15 


THE  LUSITANIA 

As  from  the  port  we  bade  a  fond  adieu, 
And  alien  voices  gave  a  coarse  alarm, 
We  little  thought  the  ocean's  pirate  crew, 
Would  dare  cause  neutrals  any  loss  or  harm. 

But  underneath  the  dome  of  ocean's  crest 
There  lurked  a  monster  of  the  silent  deep, 
Born  of  Attila's  loins  and  War's  behest, 
To  strike  its  fangs  on  those  awake,  asleep. 

The  cobra  strikes  upon  its  native  heath 
The  victim  free  of  fear  and  hostile  art; 
The  outlawed  creeper  of  the  sea  beneath, 
From  slimy  depths  sends  forth  a  deadly  dart. 

The  awful  tragedy  of  lust  and  hate 
Engulfed  the  children  yet  in  tender  years 
In  waters  cold,  down  to  a  dismal  fate, 
And  neutral  nations  mourn  in  love  and  tears. 

The  brave  and  honored,  a  heroic  band, 
Proved  true  to  shield  the  weak  and  face  the  wave 
That  sank  the  ship  and  souls  in  sight  of  land, 
And  bore  them  gently  to  a  watery  grave. 

And  underneath  the  waves  and  ocean's  roar 
The  victims  of  remorseless  souls  shall  lie 
Forever,  until  time  shall  be  no  more, 
And  God  shall  judge  the  guilty  ones  on  high. 

This  was  but  one  of  all  the  brood  of  Hell 
Sent  forth  as  monsters  of  the  slimy  deep, 
From  brutes  who  ravish  Virgin  lives  and  kill ; 
Who  crucify  the  babes  and  make  their  angels  weep. 

As  crimes  like  these  were  born  in  "Fatherland" 
The  Christ  who  taught  repentance,  truth  and  love, 
Will  judge  and  execute  "High  Heaven's"  demand 
On  all  who  claim  exemption  from  above. 

16 


1916. 


A  QUESTION 

Where  is  Heaven?    That  blest  abode 
Which  mortals  seek  and  fain  would  see, 
Who  blindly  travel  on  the  road 
Through  life  to  death,  Eternity. 

It  cannot  be  that  Heaven  is  near? 
The  cruel  past,  the  hate,  the  knell 
Of  War,  fills  us  with  doubt  and  fear 
That  we  are  near  the  brink  of  Hell? 

But  God  is  here,  He  rides  the  storms, 
His  footsteps  rest  upon  the  wave, 
His  truth,  His  loveliness  adorns 
All  souls  who  trust  in  Him  to  save. 


17 


HE  ALONE  IS  GREAT 

Roll  on !  Roll  on !  thou  mighty  war  of  hate — 
Diplomacy  is  weak—  men's  hearts  are  false; 
Full  well  we  know  we  cannot  stem  thy  fate, 
There  is  but  One  can  stay  Oppression's  power, 
And  He  alone  is  great. 

And  no  man's  hand  can  stay  the  tide 
When  once  the  dikes  are  past; 
The  blotch  of  awful  crimes  ye  cannot  hide, 
They  rise  in  clouds  that  bear  thy  shame, 
For  only  God  is  great. 

Posterity  shall  know  from  all  the  blood  and  heat 

And  cries  of  wounded  men 

Who  paid  the  penalty,  who  forged  the  dogs  of  War 

And  brought  poor  Belgium  to  thy  feet, 

For  only  God  is  great. 

As  onward  roll  the  wheel  of  Time, 

Burdened  with  years  of  man's  brutality  to  man, 

Of  Nations  crushed  by  Autocrats, 

Who  rule  with  iron  hand 

And  lay  a  ransom  at  thy  feet, 

The  curse  of  War  shall  stand, 

For  only  God  is  great. 

When  all  the  Toll  is  paid, 

The  mill  which  grinds  and  separates  the  wheat 

And  casts  the  chaff  aside, 

The  War  shall  cease,  and  Peace  alone  abide, 

For  only  God  is  great. 


1917. 


18 


THE  PATRIOT'S  VS.  THE  FOOL'S  PARADISE 

What  stirs  the  note  for  War  and  patriotic  voice 
From  sea  to  sea?    As  round  this  weary  world  of  strife 
The  faithful  sons  of  toil  and  sons  of  easy  life 
Unite  to  swell  the  chorus  and  start  to  join  the  Fray 
For  Freedom  of  the  World  and  God's  triumphant  Day. 

At  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill  we  heard  the  same  alarm, 
And  many  sons  of  Freedom,  who  left  their  altar  fires, 
(The  yeomen,  bred  of  New  England's  Pilgrim  sires 
Fought  gallantly  to  save  to  their  posterity 
The  star  of  hope  to  all  the  World,  of  States  a  galaxy. 

What  cared  they  for  life  or  death,  they  had  a  bitter  hatred 
Of  Kings  and  potentates,  who  ruled  with  evil  passion, 
And  hid  God's  light  by  subterfuge  and  in  a  devilish 

fashion ; 

They  fought  and  died  for  you  and  me  on  every  battlefield, 
That  we,  their  sons,  to  brutal  force  should  never,  never 

yield. 

But  there  were  Tories,  too,  who  hid  and  skulked  and  fled ; 
The  tale  of  their  misgivings  and  fealty  to  the  foe 
Is  one  of  shame,  disgrace,  poltroonry  and  woe; 
And  will  the  shirkers  in  this  righteous  war  take  heed 
And  prove  that  they  will  loyal  be  in  every  word  and  deed? 

1917. 


19 


1917. 


AMERICANS  AWAKE  t 

Americans,  awake! 

And  gird  your  fighting  armor  on, 
The  brutal  Huns  are  at  the  gate, 

Awake,  ere  Faith  and  Hope  are  gone. 

Awake!  Awake! 

Forsake  the  life  of  selfish  ease, 
Ere  Thor  and  Woden  hosts  shall  take 

From  freemen's  sons  the  open  seas. 

The  hallowed  dead, 

Who  died  that  justice  might  not  die, 
From  heaven's  heights  the  boys  who  bled 

And  died  for  you;  to  you  they  cry. 

They  are  not  dead. 

Beyond,  above  all  mortal  spheres, 
On  glory's  heights  their  footsteps  tread 

Beyond  the  pale  of  earthly  years. 

To  you  they  cry. 

They  call  and  do  not  call  in  vain. 
From  every  State  the  braves  reply, 

"We  come !  We  come !"  unto  the  slain. 

And  victory  won — 

Our  loyal  sons  in  peace  shall  dwell, 
And  all  who  live  beneath  the  sun 

Send  Satan's  angels  back  to  hell. 


20 


1917. 


THE  HEROES  OF  VIMY  RIDGE 

The  hail  of  lead  flowed  thick  and  fast 

As  over  Vimy  Ridge  there  passed, 

The  youth  who  bore  amid  the  fight, 

The  flag  that  waves  for  Victory  and  Right, 

The  banner  of  the  brave. 

The  first  to  place  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
Before  the  foe  on  Vimy's  Heights, 
Gunner  William  Clancy  is  his  name, 
Enrolled,  enshrined,  he  won  his  fame 
On  Europe's  battlefield. 

One  dying  soldier,  name  unknown, 
Sent  message  to  his  Newark  home, 
Amid  the  carnage  and  the  strife, 
"For  you  I'll  freely  give  my  life, 
For  Freedom  of  the  World." 


21 


1917. 


THE  SKULKERS 

Afraid  of  death,  afraid  to  fight, 
Afraid  to  battle  for  the  right, 
Afraid  to  meet  the  brutal  foe, 
Afraid  to  stand  for  weal  or  woe, 
Afraid  to  bear  the  Nation's  arms, 
Afraid  to  leave  the  life  that  charms, 
Afraid  of  men  who  cherish  hate, 
Afraid  to  fight  for  Native  State, 
Afraid  to  fight  for  Liberty, 
Afraid  to  fight  to  set  men  free, 
Afraid  to  face  the  shot  and  shell, 
Afraid  of  war  because  it's  hell, 
Afraid  to  die  whate'er  betide, 
Afraid  to  serve  the  Christ  who  died. 


22 


THE  CRY 

From  years  of  human  bondage  to  the  Czar, 

From  out  the  Eastern  dawn, 

There  breaks  a  cry  of  unfettered  souls, 

Whose  eyes,  though  dimmed,  have  seen  the  light- 

Whose  sons  shall  stand  for  Liberty  and  Right- 

Whose  storm-tossed  sails  have  crossed  the  bar. 

The  golden  day  is  here, 

The  struggling  nations  which  adown  the  past 

Were  crushed  and  broken  by  oppression's  chains, 

Are  new-born  to  the  world's  fraternity 

Of  states  reclaimed  to  Truth  and  Liberty, 

And  to  a  higher,  nobler  task. 

This  cry,  this  human  cry 

From  Russia's  sons,  who  loosed  their  chains, 

Is  ringing  yet  in  Europe's  vast  domain, 

And  autocrats  who  tremble  at  the  thought 

Of  death,  dismay  and  carnage  they  have  wrought, 

Await  the  verdict,  while  God  reigns. 


1917. 


23 


IN  THE  RED  CROSS  HOSPITALS 

I  saw  among  the  thousands  lying  there 

A  silent  form  of  pity,  love  and  grace, 
Moving  from  cot  to  cot  as  if  in  prayer, 

Although  I  knew  Him  not,  I  saw  the  face. 

And  other  forms  there  were  within  each  ward 
In  cleanly  garb,  with  subdued  voice  they  gave 

At  cheerful  service  for  their  risen  Lord, 
Who  gave  His  life,  that  others  He  might  save. 

And  there  were  wounded  sons  of  Uncle  Sam, 

Sent  from  the  North,  the  South,  the  East  and  West; 

Brave  boys  who  faced  the  foe  and  never  ran, 
For  them  the  folks  at  home  will  do  their  best. 

And  there  amid  the  cannon's  roar  and  tolling  bells 
Lay  Britain's  sons  and  brave  France's  men, 

Deformed,  defaced  by  Satan's  shot  and  shells, 
That  Truth  and  Right  might  rule  the  world  again. 

But  they  were  not  alone.    The  Master  said 
As  He  saw  the  thousands  lying  there, 

"Lo,  I  am  with  the  dying  and  the  dead." 
The  face  I  saw  was  His  so  pitiful  and  fair. 


1918. 


24 


Addressed  to  Two  Hundred  Navy  Lads 
Arbuckle  Institute,  July  16, 1917 

Young  men ;  you  who  have  sworn  to  serve 

For  Freedom  and  the  State, 

For  Truth  and  Justice  and  the  Laws 

God  gave  us  to  observe; 

As  you  "do  your  bit"  for  Home  and  Victory, 

Fear  not  the  foe  as  you  shall  cross  the  sea, 

For  hearts  beat  true  for  thee. 

Be  brave,  for  there  is  only  One, 

Whose  arm  can  stay  the  tide 

Which  ebbs  and  flows  on  Sea  and  Land; 

He  gave  His  only  Son 

To  save  the  World  from  the  abyss  of  human  woe; 

Fear  not  the  foe,  when  forward  you  shall  go, 

His  love  is  pledged  to  thee. 


25 


SAW  100,000  LAND 

A  sailor  writes  that  he  saw  100,000  of  our  boys  land  on  the 
coast  of  France. 

As  our  vessel  anchored  off  the  coast  of  France 

I  stood  upon  the  deck  enthralled  as  in  a  trance, 

For  my  eyes  beheld  the  transports  by  the  docks  along  the 

shore, 

Unloading  and  unloading  one  hundred  thousand  more 
Of  Uncle  Sam's  best  fighters,  who  have  crossed  the  restless 

sea 

To  give  their  lives,  if  need  be,  for  God  and  liberty. 
For  we  have  pledged  our  Allies  with  dollars  by  the  billions 
To  send  not  only  thousands,  but  fighters  by  the  millions. 
We'll  clinch  our  fists  and  steel  our  hearts  against  a  compro 
mise, 
For  truth  and  justice  must  prevail  if  every  freeman  dies. 

1918 


26 


VIVE,  JOFFRE! 

Who  held  the  brutal  Hun  at  bay 
And  won  a  Victory  at  the  Marne, 
Which  Freemen,  Truth  and  History 
With  full  acclaim  shall  names  adorn 
With  wreaths  of  Victory. 
1917. 


THE  GREAT  TIDE 

"There's  a  great  tide  running  in  the  hearts  of  men" — Presi 
dent  Wilson. 

"There's  a  great  Tide  running  in  the  hearts  of  men"    • 

From  One  Supreme,  eternal  source  of  power  divine. 

As  Nations  "wax  and  wane," 

As  "Ancient"  is  His  name, 

As  from  the  mists  of  years,  so  onward  through  all  time, 

His  tides  shall  run  the  same. 

A  thousand  years  is  but  a  day  adown  the  past, 

The  tides  move  slow  and  deep  in  human  hearts  aflame 

For  human  brotherhood ; 

The  place  where  Jesus  stood, — 

The  world  will  yet  proclaim,  there  is  no  other  name 

On  earth,  in  Heaven,  so  good. 


27 


PLYMOUTH  CHURCH  WELCOMES  HER  HEROES 
PLYMOUTH'S  WELCOME  HOME 

WELCOME  HOME!  You  who  have  served  the  World, 
WELCOME  ALL,  who,  underneath  the  Flag  unfurled, 
Have  served  on  sea  or  land  against  the  foe, 
Glad  welcomes  greet  you  wherever  you  may  go! 
Welcome  to  Plymouth's  sheltering  roof  again, 
Welcome  to  brave  daughters  and  the  loyal  men. 
The  sons  of  Plymouth  through  the  passing  years 
Have  served  the  Nation  with  voice  and  life  and  tears 
Against  human  bondage  and  unrighteous  gain, 
For  God  and  Brotherhood,  with  many  hearts  aflame. 
On  battlements  of  Heaven  the  voices  of  our  friends 
May  join  with  us  a  welcome  home  again. 

On  Neptune's  heaving  breast  in  stormy  seas, 
The  Stars  and  Stripes  were  floating  in  the  breeze ; 
They  guarded  well  the  open  seas  and  land, 
No  braver  men  have  served  on  ocean's  strand. 
The  Navy  boys  who  sailed  the  briny  deep 
Guarded  well  the  sea  where  those  who  sleep 
Shall  rise  again  when  at  the  Judgment  Day 
They  face  the  crew  that  sank  the  Lusitania. 

You  who  fought  in  broken  ranks  and  bled, 
While  screeching  shells  and  thunder  overhead 
Made  war  a  hell,  with  faces  to  the  foe, 
While  wounded  and  the  dead  lay  row  on  row ; 
On  Flanders'  field  and  on  brave  France's  soil 
You  fought  for  us  and  made  the  foe  recoil. 

When  Caesar's  legions  crossed  to  Briton's  coast, 
They  passed  the  Rhine  a  conquering  Roman  host. 
For  conquest  they  subdued  the  ancient  Hun, 
And  ravaged  France  on  fields  which  you  have  won 
From  brutal  sons  of  a  proud  Autocracy, 
And  gained  for  Freedom  a  Glorious  Victory! 

1919. 

28 


PLYMOUTH'S  FALLEN  HEROES 

Forever  lost  are  they  who  fell  ere  youth  its  mantle  shed? 
Forever  lost  are  they  on  Flanders'  field  we  count  as  dead? 
Forever  lost  are  they  who  had  the  promise  of  a  brilliant  life? 
Forever  lost  are  they  who  faltered  not  but  bore  the  brunt  of 

strife? 

Shall  we  who  mourn  our  fallen  sons  on  Honor  Roll, 
"Shall  we  who  count  the  cost  rebel  at  such  a  toll? 
Of  noble  sons  whom  mothers  gave  to  freedom's  cause, 
Shall  we  who  gave  our  sons  to  heal  the  broken  laws 
Of  God's  great  world  He  sent  His  only  Son  to  save, 
Shall  we  forget  that  life  is  not  immortal  in  the  grave? 
Perennial  youth,  hope,  faith  and  love  SHALL  LIVE. 
Hate,  injustice,  pride,  and  all  the  world  can  give 
Of  fleeting  pleasure  and  false  ambition,  THESE  SHALL  DIE. 
BUT  NOT  OUR  NOBLE  SONS!    Their  lives  are  crowned 

on  high. 

They  live  and  serve  serene  in  fairer  lands  above, 
Sheltered  forever  in  God's  great  Canopy  of  Love. 


29 


THE  SPARTAN  MOTHER 

Before  an  ancient  fireplace, 
A  lonely  mother  warms  her  hands, 

And  laden  is  the  iron  grate 

With  ribs  of  wood  brought  from  the  race 

Below  the  water  mill,  whose  bands 
With  rust  and  age  are  out  of  date. 

For  iron  rust  and  age  will  tell, 
And  time  and  partings  come  to  all 

Of  every  clime  and  nation, 
The  oaken  bucket  and  the  well 

With  rust  and  mosses  as  a  pall, 
Start  thoughts  for  meditation. 

The  wild  wind  moans  around  the  doors, 
And  windows  too  with  loosened  panes 

Sing  low  and  faint. 
O'er  head  the  black  cloud  swiftly  soars 

From  East  to  West — Awhile  it  rains ; 
But  no  one  enters  at  the  gate. 

As  louder  grows  the  tempest  blast, 
Of  rain  and  ice  against  the  pane, 
She  rocks  and  rocks  again, 

Till  midnight  hours  are  passed; 

As  falls  the  hail  and  rain, 
She  rocks  and  rocks  again. 

She  does  not  quail,  her  heart  is  true, 
For  early  when  her  country  called 

For  sons  to  face  the  foe, 

She  waved  the  Red,  the  White,  and  Blue 

As  others  went  to  be  enrolled, 
And  urged  her  son  to  go. 

For  years  of  fierce  and  bloody  strife 

Had  passed,  and  all  the  world, 
Was  threatened  by  the  foe, 

Should  mothers  lead  a  selfish  life 
While  others  freedom's  flag  unfurled? 

She  promptly  answered  "No." 


30 


By  victory  the  world  was  freed 

From  brutal  hosts  and  kings, 
Their  battle  forces  driven — 

In  doubt  and  fear  while  she  can  read 
The  "Honor  Roll,"  her  thoughts  take  wings 

O'er  seas,  and  up  to  heaven. 

And  so  throughout  our  land  of  pride 

In  lonely  cot  and  home, 
The  mothers  brave  and  true, 

Await  their  sons  by  fireside, 
Who  bravely  fought,  and  bravely  died, 

Until  the  great  review. 


1919. 


31 


AWAKE,  PLYMOUTH! 

BEHOLD  THE  DAY! 

For  which  our  fathers  fought  at  Bunker  Hill 
That  Kings  and  Autocrats  should  yield,  and  bide 
HIS  Sovereign  Will. 

ARISE,  YE  MEN! 

Avoid  the  life  of  selfishness  and  ease, 

God's  battlefield  is  HERE,  and  THERE  across 

The  stormy  seas. 

AWAKE,  PLYMOUTH ! 
A  mighty  host  of  the  departed  Saints 
Are  calling  from  Heaven's  battlements 
"GUARD  WELL  THY  GATES!" 


32 


70TH  ANNIVERSARY 
PLYMOUTH'S  INVITATION 

An  inspiration  from  Dr.  Hillis'  sermon  of  those  looking  from 
the  Battlements. 

From  all  the  Heavenly  Spaces 
Where  throng  familiar  faces, 
Of  those  who  move  in  great  array; 
We  summon  you  to  meet  us, 
And  with  your  presence  cheer  us, 
On  these  Home  Coming  Days. 

From  distant  homes  and  firesides, 
Wherein  Plymouth  love  abides, 
Our  Welcome  goes  to  you  today. 
Come  to  your  home  and  cheer  us, 
And  with  your  love  endear  us, 
On  these  Home  Coming  Days. 

Plymouth  greets  you  from  afar 
Space  and  distance  do  not  bar, 
You  who  have  gone  so  far  away. 
Join  with  us  in  "Auld  Lang  Syne" 
And  with  us  in  keeping  time, 
On  these  Home  Coming  Days. 

Memories  of  the  past  recall, 
Names  that  once  were  on  the  roll, 
Plymouth's  Sons  and  loving  Daughters; 
Scenes  like  these  can  never  last, 
Let  us  not  forget  the  past, 
On  these  Home  Coming  Days. 


33 


SING  IT  NOW 

If  you  have  a  song  to  sing, 

Sing  it  now.     Sing  it  now, 
Ere  your  youthful  notes  take  wing 
Sing  of  a  perennial  Spring, 
And  the  joy  that  it  will  bring, 
Sing  it  now.     Sing  it  now. 

If  you  have  a  life  to  mend, 

Mend  it  now.     Mend  it  now, 
Ere  your  journey  has  an  end, 
As  adown  life's  tide  you  tend, 
Jesus  Christ  will  be  your  friend, 
Mend  it  now.     Mend  it  now. 

If  you  have  a  friend  to  cheer, 

Cheer  him  now.     Cheer  him  now, 
Life  is  full  of  sorrow  here, 
Now  a  smile,  and  then  a  tear, 
Make  heatts  £'1ad  while  you're  here, 

Cheer  them  now.     Cheer  them  now. 

Do  life's  work  while  here  you  can, 

Do  it  now.    Do  it  now. 
Meet  your  trials  like  a  man, 
Brief  and  rapid  is  life's  span, 
Study  well  how  best  to  plan. 
Do  it  now.     Do  it  now. 

Further  on  you'll  serve  the  King, 

Serve  Him  now.    Serve  Him  now. 
With  all  the  talents  you  can  bring, 
Work  and  serve  and  gladly  sing, 
Ere  your  youthful  notes  take  wing, 

Serve  Him  now.    Serve  Him  now. 
1921. 


34 


THE  FRIENDS  OF  YEARS  LONG  AGO 

My  dear,  I  have  traveled  the  same  paths  today 

We  followed  in  years  long  ago, 

The  birds  were  trilling  their  joyful  lay, 

The  sky  was  as  fair  and  the  children^at  play 

As  we  were  in  years  long  ago. 

The  faces  we  knew  and  the  friends  who  were  dear 
As  they  were  in  years  long  ago, 
Were  not  there  to  greet  me,  to  welcome  and  cheer, 
As  lonely  I  walked  my  eyes  dropped  a  tear 
For  the  friends  of  years  long  ago. 

Toward  the  stream  by  the  hills  I  wended  my  way 

As  we  did  in  years  long  ago, 

The  path  lined  by  daisies  was  trodden  today 

By  the  boys  and  the  girls  as  lively  and  gay 

As  we  were  in  years  long  ago. 

I  went  to  the  mound  on  the  bank  of  the  stream 

Where  we  sat  in  years  long  ago, 

Those  days  passed  through  my  thoughts  like  a  dream 

As  the  clouds  go  by,  but  yet  it  did  seem 

You  were  there  as  in  years  long  ago. 

By  the  same  path  returning,  I  pondered  full  well 

O'er  the  memories  of  years  long  ago, 

When  together  we  trod  the  same  path  to  the  dell ; 

Some  charming  sprite  cast  o'er  me  a  spell 

As  I  thought  of  years  long  ago. 

Why  dwell  that  I,  on  the  years  gone  by, 
On  the  life  of  years  long  ago? 
And  I  turned  to  look  at  the  starlit  sky, 
And  thought  of  the  worlds  and  the  homes  on  high, 
Where  we  hope  soon  to  meet,  both  you  and  I, 
With  the  friends  of  years  long  ago. 
1916. 


35 


"There's  not  the  smallest  orb  which  thou  beboldest 
But  in  his  motion  like  an  angel  sings, 
Still  quiring  to  the  young-eyed  cherubim, — 
Such  harmony  is  in  immortal  souls; 
But,  whilst  this  muddy  vesture  of  decay 
Doth  grossly  close  it  in,  we  cannot  hear  it." 

— Shakespeare. 


1920. 


UNIVERSAL  MELODY 

When  borne  on  angel  wings, 
Through  depths  of  space  they  fly, 
Immortal   spirits  sing, 
While  piercing  clouds  and  sky. 

The  birds  attune  their  song, 
To  Heavens  seraphic  lyre, 
All  voices  here  belong 
To  God's  eternal  choir. 

All  melody  of  joyful  life, 
That  fill  the  earth  and  sky, 
Lost  in  this  world  of  strife, 
Shall  greet  us  by  and  by. 


36 


1915. 


LIFE 

There  is  no  death  if  hearts  of  love 
Are  friends  of  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord', 
The  soul  departs  to  realms  above 
To  dwell  with  him  in  sweet  accord. 

Why  fear  to  go  from  life's  unrest, 
From  sin  and  sorrow,  toil  and  pain, 
When  there  are  friends  our  lips  have  pressed, 
Waiting  to  greet  us  once  again. 

Cheer  the  dying,  serve  the  living, 
Falter  not  in  saying  adieu, 
Life's  best  work  is  in  the  giving, 
For  He  shall  prove  his  promise  true. 


SHOWERS  OF  BLESSINGS 

Rain  drops  patter  on  the  heath, 
Give  life  and  beauty  to  the  flowers, 
Enriching  all  that  lie  beneath, 
Tokens  of  One  who  sends  the  showers. 

None  can  count  them,  only  One 
Who  sends  the  sun  to  draw  up  high 
Waters,  that  to  the  ocean  run, 
Return  again  pure  from  the  sky. 


37 


SPRING  AND  WINTER 

We  love  the  verdant  Spring, 
And  the  songs  of  the  sinuous  rill, 
Whose  voices  in  unison  ring 
With  the  notes  of  the  whip-poor-will. 

The  charm  of  its  glorious  morning 
Wakes  voices  in  mountain  and  glen, 
And  voices  of  those  once  adorning 
Our  homes,  come  to  us  again  and  again. 

When  evening  with  shadows  appear, 
And  the  birds  flee  to  their  nests, 
Thoughts  of  those  we  hold  dear, 
Hallow  Spring  as  harbinger  of  rest. 

And  Winter's  cold  and  snow-capped  hills, 
With  icy  blasts  threatening  our  undoing 
Binds  up  the  rivers,  lakes  and  rills, 
And  then  resigns  to  Springtime  wTooing. 

And  so  the  years  complete  with  season's  blest, 
By  One  who  sees  the  sowing  and  the  reaping 
For  those  who  labor  here  are  but  a  test 
For  years  eternal  in  the  Master's  keeping. 


38 


NATURE'S  LAWS 

This  summer  day  in  June,  we  turn  aside 
From  store  and  mill  to  watch  the  human  tide 
Which  flows  from  city  streets  to  seek  a  rest 
And  fling  themselves  upon  the  Earth's  cool  breast. 

We  see  the  valleys  dressed  in  perfect  green, 
The  bleating  sheep  are  resting  by  the  stream 
That  flows  by  mountainside  and  gently  bends 
Until  it  meets  the  river,  where  it  ends. 

f  But  let  us  climb  the  mountain  steep  and  find 
A  peak  above  the  rest,  where  human  kind 
Are  loath  to  go,  and  where  the  air  is  pure ; 
We  will  have  found  a  restng  place  secure. 

The  peak  is  barren ;  naught  of  life  we  see ; 
But  here  is  evidence  that  once  a  tree 
Had  tried  to  grow,  until  by  famine  died 
And  fell  among  the  rocks  as  if  to  hide. 

Below,  is  proof  that  nature's  laws  are  sure 
To  clothe  the  Earth  with  flora  and  verdure. 
But  without  food  and  frequent  showers  and  sky, 
The  wind-dropt  seed  may  sprout,  but  droop  and  die. 

The  clod  which  we  despise  in  Mother  Earth, 
From  which  all  things  in  nature  have  their  birth, 
May  be,  when  fashioned  by  the  workman's  eye, 
A  VASE,  reflecting  all  the  beauty  of  the  sky. 

The  laws  of  nature  have  a  counterpart 
In  Spirit  Life,  and  Service  of  the  heart, 
Unless  we're  fed  with  manna  from  on  High, 
The  famished  soul  will  faint  and  droop  and  die. 


1921. 


39 


SPRING 

Spring-  is  here  and  the  south  winds  blow, 
The  robin,  our  childhood  friend  of  song, 
With  scarlet  breast  she  falls  her  nest, 
We  grieve  when  late  we  find  her  gone. 

Buds  appear  and  pussy-willow, 
Madrake  flowers,  and  wild  blue-bell, 
Violets  blue  on  green  mossy  pillow, 
Streamlets  running  deep  in  the  dell. 

Showers  unveil  the  sleeping  arbutus, 
Beauty  of  hillside,  mountain  and  glen, 
Unrivalled  there's  none  to  confute  us, 
A  token  of  love  from  Heaven  to  men. 


40 


1915. 


JUNE 

We  welcome  June,  the  month  of  birds  and  flowers, 
The  time  of  all  the  year  when  life  is  best, 
And  we're  enriched  by  many  passing-  showers; — 
The  Earth  has  tolled  its  round  of  seasons,  blest. 

Robins  and  starlings  flit  from  tree  to  tree, 
Their  voices  fill  the  air  with  mirth  and  song, 
All  nature  joins  in  tuneful  melody 
From  morn'  till  night,  then  wait  the  early  dawn. 

The  fickle  trout  seen  in  the  mountain  brook, 
Invites  the  ardent  sportsman  to  the  wilds 
And  flirts  awhile  the  angler's  fly  and  hook 
Until  the  bait  the  simple  fish  beguiles. 

The  zephyrs  lend  a  charm  throughout  the  day, 
The  longest  days  of  all  the  passing  year, 
When  joys  on  earth  lure  us  to  live  and  stay 
With  Nature's  friends,  who  fill  our  lives  with  cheer. 

Wild  flowers  bloom  in  mountain  air,  unseen, 
And  fragrant  roses  shed  their  perfumes,  rare, 
We  long  to  rest  in  pensive  mood  and  dream 
Of  realms  beyond  this  life  of  toil  and  care. 


41 


OCTOBER 

The  gladsome  year  is  nearly  spent, 
She  blushes  in  her  charming  dress 
Of  autumn,  bright  with  radiant  hues; 
The  orchards  bow,  the  limbs  are  bent 
With  golden  weight  of  peach  and  pear 
And  other  fruits,  both  rich  and  rare. 

Then  let  us  look  upon  the  scene; — 

The  lake  reflects  the  glorious  sight, 

That  skirts  the  hills  down  to  the  shore, 

Of  colors  much  the  artist's  dream, — 

The  sun  with  bright  autumnal  rays 

Adds  health  and  wealth  and  length  of  days. 

Then  out  unto  the  woods  ye  men, 
Who  linger  long  at  desk  and  store ; 
The  forests  full  of  health  and  wealth 
You  cannot  gain  within  the  door 
Or  din  of  city  streets  and  mills; 
Take;  one  day  off,  roam  woods  and  hills. 


Lake  Winola,  Pa,,  Oct.,  1915. 


42 


SPRING  VOICES 

Spring  seems  so  near  to  me 

That  I  rejoice, 
And  in  my  dreams  I  hear 

Your  loving  voice. 

When  violets  bloom  again 

And  berries  red 
Shall  kiss  the  falling  rain 

On  mossy  bed — 

Our  hearts  shall  beat  as  one, 
Our  eyes  shall  see, 

When  Spring  and  You  are  come 
To  join  with  me, 

A  friendship  that  shall   last 

Through  all  Eternity. 
1916. 


43 


1917. 


SLEEP 

*• 

I  rest,  dear  Lord,  my  eyes  are  closed, 
The  darkness  shields  me  from  the  light, 
I  seek  from  work  a  sweet  repose, 
But  cannot  hide  me  from  Thy  sight. 

And  when  I  need  no  light  of  Sun, 
Thou  art  the  same  altho'  I  sltep, 
Forever,  as  my  journey's  run, 
My  footsteps  upward  Thou  wilt  keep. 

No  thoughts  of  mine  can  well  conceive 
The  things  which  Thou  hast  for  Thy  fold, 
And  in  this  life  I  shall  not  grieve, 
For  all  Thy  love  Thou  hast  not  told. 

If  I  shall  sleep,  or  if  I  wake, 
I  choose  not  in  my  heart  to  say, 
I  yieid  my  will  for  His  dear  sake, 
Thou  art  the  Light,  the  Life,  the  Way. 


44 


1914. 


LONELY 

Dear  Wife,  the  keeper  of  my  home, 
My  joy,  my  pride  and  heart's  solace, 
When  far  away  I  seek  to  roam, 
My  thoughts  revert  to  thy  dear  face. 

Thy  love  shall  light  the  evening  gloom, 
And  fill  the  cup  of  joy  divine, 
The  course  of  years  unite  us  soon, 
No  more  to  part  throughout  all  time. 

Alone  I  tread  on  life's  highway, 
The  flowers,  which  once  were  all  in  bloom 
We  gathered  home  to  cheer  the  day, 
Are  withered  now,  alas,  too  soon. 

The  World  and  all  it  has  to  give 
Of  pleasure,  wealth,  or  choral  song 
Are  vain  to  lure  me  while  I  live, 
"To  wake  and  always  find  you  gone." 


45 


TO  MOTHER 

Mother,  how  oft'  thy  hallowed  name 
Has  passed  my  lips  with  greater  flame, 
Since  you  went  home. 

The  loneliness  of  each  passing  year 
Brings  with  it  less  of  earthly  cheer 
When  I'm  alone. 

I  miss  thy  loving  heart's  embrace, 
The  joy  and  radiance  of  thy  face 
So  lit  with  love. 

A  lonely  sense  of  grief  and  pain, 
Of  doubt  if  we  shall  meet  again 
Beyond  life's  shore. 

Until  this  Easter  day  doth  bring 
To  us  the  promise  of  thy  King 
That  home  is  near. 

And  thou  art  near  for  Heaven  is  home, 
And  we  are  not  to  tread  alone 
The  King's  highway. 

For  Christ  hath  risen  to  prove  that  He 
Hath  won  o'er  death  a  victory 
For  you  and  me. 

His  spirit  dwells  with  those  whose  faith 
Looks  up  to  Calvary  and  death 
With  joy  supreme. 

This  World  is  then  a  stepping  stone, 
And  Christ  is  here,  we're  not  alone 
To  pass  beyond. 

He'll  aid  us  well,  for  He'll  abide 
Until  beyond  we've  passed  the  tide 
And  reached  the  shore. 

Then  Mother  dear,  the  loved,  the  saved 
Shall  speak  to  us  beyond  the  grave 
Of  Victory. 

And  loving  hearts  shall  then  embrace 
And  see  the  radiance  of  thy  face, 
Perfect  in  love. 
1915. 

46 


SOWING  AND  REAPING 

A  babe  lay  fondly  on  its  mother's  breast, 
So  pure  from  Heaven,  by  Angels  given, 
To  her  a  gift  whom  One  hath  blest. 

A  little  child  went  tripping  down  the  street, 
In  haste  to  play  throughout  the  day, 
Till  homeward  turn  its  weary  feet. 


A  youth,  whose  restless  years  are  in  the  "teens," 
When  all  is  gay  whiles  time  away, 
In  building  castles  as  he  dreams. 

He  seems  at  last  to  be  a  world-wise  man, 
Of  mature  years  and  business  cares, 
To  garner  well  throughout  life's  span. 

In  haste  to  reap  what  other  hands  have  sown, 
He  soils  his  name  for  wealth  and  fame, 
Bonds,  stocks  and  fields  he  claims  to  own. 

In  riper  years  his  health  and  wealth  have  fled, 
His  friends  are  few  of  those  he  knew, 
Some  are  like  him  and  some  are  dead. 

His  sons  are  treading  in  the  steps  he  trod, 
With  aims  akin,  riches  to  win, 
Neglecting  health,  virtue  and  God. 


A  youth  whose  thoughtful  years  were  more  sedate, 
Resolved  to  live  and  freely  give 
His  life  to  serve  his  home  and  State. 

By  faith  and  honest  toil  his  gains  were  few, 
With  noble  minds  great  wealth  he  finds, 
His  pleasures  grew,  his  friends  were  true. 

To  fame  and  wealth  he  scorned  to  be  a  slave, 
He  kept  his  health  and  with  his  wealth 
To  aid  mankind  he  freely  gave. 

When  ebbed  life's  tide  and  sunset  skies  at  last 
Brought  hope  anew  of  promise  true, 
He  looked  with  pride  on  all  the  past 
1915. 

48 


BE  VALIANT 

Be  valiant,  O  my  soul! 

To  reach  a  higher  goal 

In  fairer  lands; 

Where  light  effulgent  beams — 

Where  on  celestial  wings 

No  hindrance  bars. 

Beyond,  above  our  mortal  ken, 
Our  eyes  shall  see 
Somewhat  of  its  immensity, 
A  world  sublime. 

Be  patient,  O  my  soul! 
Do  well  to  reach  thy  goal, 
And  falter  not. 
By  cheerful  service  done, 
If  well  thy  race  is  run, 
Rich  thy  reward. 

The  Master  taught  the  way 
To  live  and  serve  each  day 
Our  fellow  men, 
And  when  the  strife  is  o'er 
We  reach  the  farther  shore, 
All  shall  be  well. 


49 


AN  ARTIST'S  BIRTHDAY 

When  from  the  realms  of  space 
Thy  spirit  came  to  Mother  Earth, 
Beauty,  Art  and  gentle  Grace 
'Were  heralds  of  thy  birth. 

Dame  Nature  strives  to  win  the  heart, 
The  woodlands  vie  with  meadows  green, 
The  sunset's  glow  and  Nature's  art 
All  brought  to  you  a  joy  supreme. 

You  grew  to  love  the  woodlands  too, 
And  sketch  the  tints  of  sunset  skies, 
Meadows  and  hills  you  wandered  through, 
And  plucked  the  flowers  of  Nature's  dyes. 

And  you  are  servant  of  them  all, 
Time  will  not  come  when  they  shall  cease 
To  give  thee  pleasure  at  thy  call, 
Until  with  life  you  find  release. 

If  you  shall  serve  and  not  forget 
Affection's  claim   in  memory's   urn, 
Future  j^ears  may  follow  yet, 
And  joyful  birthdays  may  return. 


50 


1917. 


JESUS 

Gently,  Lovingly,  He  pleads  for  thee, 
No  friend  that  ever  you  have  found, 
Can  speak  to  you  so  truthfully 
Of  sins  that  in  your  heart  abound. 

No  one  can  heed  His  loving  voice, 
And  turn  with  open  heart  to  hear, 
Who  will  not  listen  and  rejoice 
In  serving  Him  with  love,  sincere. 

What  joy  can  fill  a  faithful  heart! 
What  peace  and  patience  there  abide! 
The  storms  of  life  can  never  part 
Such  friends  throughout  life's  'ebbing  tide. 

Forever  then  our  Song  shall  be 
On  earth,  in  Heaven,  for  evermore, 
In  life  and  death,  Eternity, 
To  Him  who  loving,  we  adore. 


51 


IN  MEMORY  OF  J.  FRANKLIN  BURKE 

The  passing  years  have  not  changed  this, — 
The  new  born  child  brings  only  gladness, 
But  passing  to  a  World  of  Bliss 
Of  those  we  love,  leaves  only  sadness. 

When  one  whose  life  has  seemed  to  be 
Divinely  traced  in  imagery 
Of  Him  who  walked  in  Galilee, 
Why  should  we  yield  to  sadness? 

To  our  dear  friend  we  did  not  say 
"Farewell,  great  heart"  or  an  "adieu," 
He  lives  to  greet  on  other  day 
All  those  whose  faith  and  love  are  true. 

There  is  no  death  since  Jesus  wept, 
And  bowed  His  head  upon  the  Cross. 
The  Saints  have  all  their  vigils  kept, 
And  loving  hearts  shall  not  be  lost. 

Life  is  but  a  treasure  we  hold, 
Bestowed  upon  all  from  riches  above, 
More  precious  to  us  than  silver  or  gold, 
Finding  fruition  in  "Faith,  Hope  and  Love." 


52 


I'm  told  this  world  cannot  compare 

With  that  which  is  beyond, — 

The  sea  and  land,  the  clouds  and  air, 

The  mountain  peaks  and  sunsets  fair, 

Of  which  I  am  so  fond, 

Cannot  compare  with  that  which  is  beyond. 


53 


When  Westmooreland  County,  Pa.,  was  first  settled  by  the  New  England 
colonists  under  the  Connecticut  charter,  which  was  granted  by  Charles  I, 
they  came  In  conflict  with  settlers  under  the  William  Penn  charter,  given  by 
Charles  II.  Both  parties  claimed  the  land  embraced  in  Lackawanna,  Luzerne, 
Bradford,  Susquehanna,  Pike,  Wayne  and  Wyoming  counties.  The  Pennamite 
wars  continued  prior  to,  and  after  the  Revolution.  The  settlers  from  Con 
necticut  and  Massachusetts  crossed  and  recrossed  the  Pocono  mountains  in 
great  distress.  A  few  died  from  exhaustion  while  crossing  the  wilderness. 
I  have  seen  the  mounds  as  I  traveled  over  the  Pocono,  which  mark  the  graves 
of  thoes  who  perished. 

The  reference  to  the  morning  mist  relates  to  the  sea.  of  fog  which  some 
times  rest  in  the  valleys  and  which  can  be  seen  while  crossing  from  Pocono 
Summit  toward  Delaware  Water  Gap. 


THE   POCONO    MOUNTAINS 

Ye  templed  host,  what  charms  appear 
To  greet  the  traveler  from  the  plain, 
And  now  thy  mountain  tops  are  dear 
To  those  who  seek  them  once  again. 

Thy  rugged  cliffs  are  scarred  with  age, 
They  tell  of  Time's  remorseless  hand, 
The  hand  that  wrote  upon  the  page 
Of  time,  when  storms  beset  the  land. 

Of  storms  within  and  storms  without, 
Which  raised  thy  crest  and  smote  thy  back, 
The  heat  and  ice  and  fires,  no  doubt, 
For  ages  wrought  thy  upward  track. 

When  Winter  with  its  pall  of  snow 
O'er  tops  thy  barren  crest  with  white, 
And  blizzards  fill  the  vales  below, 
We  view  the  wilderness  of  the  night. 

Within  the  confines  of  thy  caves, 
The  wolves  have  had  secure  a  lair, 
E'en  unto  years  of  recent  days 
The  wilds  have  sheltered  deer  and  bear. 

When  from  Westmorelands  strife  and  hate, 
Of  Whites  and  Indian  claims  to  land, 
Fled  those  who  trod  with  tired  feet, 
They  crossed  thy  wilds  a  weary  band. 


54 


1915. 


When  from  Wyoming's  scenes  of  strife, 
New  England's  settlers  sought  retreat 
From  all  they  held  most  dear  in  life, 
They  laid  their  dead  down  at  thy  feet. 

When  traveling  toward  the  rising  sun, 
And  o'er  the  vale  a  mist  of  white 
Floats  as  an  ocean  tide  that's  run, 
We  gaze  in  wonder  and  delight. 

Thy  streams  and  lakes  of  water  pure, 
Reflect  the  forest  trees  above, 
Thy  pearly  fountains  shall  endure, 
Tokens  of  God's  abundant  love. 

So  all  thy  mounts  are  hallowed  towers, 
To  stand  while  storms  above  them  lower, 
Thy  Architect  reveals  His  power, 
That  we  may  worship  and  adore. 


55 


LAKE  GEORGE 

The  storm  has  passed,  the  mountain  peaks 
Stand  out  in  beauty  toward  the  sky, 
Each  pinnacled  tree  as  if  it  seeks 
To  pierce  the  clouds  as  they  go  by, 
The  clouds  of  gold,  purple  and  green 
All  colors  and  shades  you've  ever  seen. 

The  lake  is  covered  with  sunlit  sheen, 
Its  ripples  reflect  the  rising  sun, 
The  shores  are  fringed  with  foliage  green, 
The  rivulets  sing  as  down  they  run 
From  Mountain  side  and  inward  wold, 
And  reach  the  shore,  free,  pure  and  cold. 

The  Iroquois  braves  have  trod  these  shores,  * 
The  Mohawks  traced  each  bay  in  canoe, 
The  French  and  English  foes,  with  oars 
Have  crossed  and  fought  in  armed  bateau. 

In  ages  past  the  Indian  brave 

Has  wooed  his  maiden  by  the  lake, 

No  stones  are  here  to  mark  his  grave, 

No  one  survives  to  well  relate 

The  story  of  fisher,  hunter  and  brave 

Who  lived  by  the  lake  in  tepee  and  cave. 

The  red  men  who  lived,  hunted  and  died, 
Are  silent  in  graves  along  the  shore, 
The  kin  he  loved  who  fought  by  his  side, 
Live  in  tradition,  and  are  seen  no  more. 

Many  pale  faces  now  tread  the  paths 
Which  the  red  men  trod  for  many  years, 
Thef  boys  and  girls  here  pledge  their  troth 
And  then  break  camp  with  subdued  tears, 
Return  again  and  renew  their  pledge 
By  moonlight,  camp  fire  or  mountain  ledge. 

1919. 

56 


"It  is  a  crime  to  shoot  a  Doe" 


A  TRAGEDY  OF  THE  HUNT 

December  winds  sweep  o'er  barren  peaks, 

That  graced  Pocono's  wild  ranged  mounts, 

Which  reach  from  Lackawanna's  vale, 

Unto  the  Delaware's  craggy  steeps; 

And  in  the  vales  far  down  the  rugged  slopes, 

Are  myriad  leaves  dropped  from  barren  trees, 

And  depths  of  snow  flakes  drifted  down, 

Half  hidden  from  the  mid-day  sun, 

Which  melts  the  snow  to  rivulets  as  down  they  run, 

O'er  meadows  green  abundant  rains  have  fed, 

On  to  the  foot  hills  where  the  river  bends, 

And  runs  its  course  ice  bound  unto  the  water  Gap. 

This  is  the  Hunter's  Paradise 

Within  this  Vale  the  hunters  echoing  gun 
Alarmed  the  Deer,  and  birds  upon  the  wing — 
There  fled  a  Wounded  Doe,  fleet  of  foot  to  run 
Across  the  Stream,  and    while    the    woodlands    ring 
With  shot  on  shot,  she  gained  with  every  leap, 
Where  forest  depths  are   wild    she   sought   to   hide, 
With  faltering  steps  when  weary  were  her  feet, 
She  rested  there  beneath  the  Pines,  and  died. 


1919 


58 


IN  A  COUNTRY  DOCTOR'S  OFFICE 

It's  evening,  and  the  days  are  long, 
From  far  and  near  the  motely  throng, 
The  rich  and  poor,  the  weak  and  strong, 
Have  come  to  tell  their  pains  and  ills, 
And  take  the  doctor's  squills  and  pills. 

On  every  chair,  and  couch,  and  ledge, 

They're  seated;  and  upon  the  pegs 

The  hats  are  hung;  with  outstretched  legs 

They  wait  in  turn  for  each  to  tell 

Their  aches  and  pains,  for  none  are  well. 

Though  one  is  blind  and  some  are  lame 

All  tell  their  troubles  just  the  same, 

They  kill  the  time  for  that's  their  game 

To  hold  the  doctor's  close  attention, 

And  dodge  some  things  they  dare  not  mention. 

A  corner  loafer  had  the  cjjfolic, 
When  out  one  night  he  had  a  frolic  ; 
He  drank  his  fill  of  diabolic, 
Of  John  Barleycorn  and  gin, 
His  wife — she  had  to  take  him  in. 

Another  with  a  jaunded  pace, 
Whose  eyes  were  yellow,  and  his  face 
Showed  he  had  nearly  run  his  race; 
It  was  every  one's  conclusion, 
But  he  indulged  in  an  illusion. 

Another  had  a  tale  to  tell 

One  day  was  sick,  and  next  day  well, 

In  fact  he  had  a  lazy  spell, 

He  thought  the  doctor's  iron  tonic, 

Would  brace  him  up.     "He'd  bet  upon  it." 

But  this  was  queerest  case  of  all, 

A  guy  who  went  to  make  a  call, 

Backed  out  of  door  while  in  the  hall, 

And  stubbed  his  heel  against  the  sill, 

He  tumbled  back  into  a  mill, 

Just  out  the  door.     His  girl  she  laughed — 

//  broke  his  heart,  and  ma^e  him  daft. 

And  when  the  crowd  had  gone  away, 
And  everyone  was  made  to  pay, 
All  the  Doctor  had  to  say, 
Was,  "I've  a  wad  that  satisfies. 
The  world  is  full  of  jays  and  guys, 
Enlarge  the  house  and  let  them  come 
What  they  give  me,  don't  go  for  rum". 

1920 

59 


THE  CITY'S  WALL  STREET 

This  is  the  field  of  blood  and  death 
That  lies  in  the  city's  Wall  Street. 

This  is  the  hail  of  iron  and  steel 
That  smote  the  people  on  the  field 
Of  the  city's  Wall  Street. 

These  are  the  people,  all  torn  and  dire, 
All  cut  and  burned  by  the  hail  and  fire; 
These  are  the  victims,  the  old  and  young, 
Shot  to  death  by  a  hidden  gun 
On  the  city's  Wall  Street. 

This  is  the  rig,  the  bomb  and  shot — 

We've  found  all  this,  but  not  the  shop 

Where  the  horse  was  shod.      We'll  hope  to  see 

Who  charged  the  gun  with  T.N.T. 

To  maim  and  kill  on  Wall  Street 

This  is  the  man  with  a  brawny  arm 
And  darkened  mien,  who  gave  the  alarm 
And  drove  the  horse  which  drew  the  cart 
Of  death  for  many  a  victim's  heart 
Who  lay  on  the  city's  Wall  Street. 

These  are  the  men  of  foreign  birth 
The  flotsam  and  jetsam  of  all  the  earth 
Who  sent  the  man  with  the  hidden  gun 
To  kill  the  people  on  the  run 
Who  fell  and  died  on  Wall  Street. 

These  are  the  sons  of  native  birth 
Of  a  nation,  the  best  of  all  the  earth, 
Who  publish  and  talk  sedition  and  fire 
And  vie  with  the  devil,  the  greatest  liar, 
About  the  people  of  Wall  Street 


60 


1920 


Long  we've  endured  the  crimes  of  years, 
The  slaughter,  pain  and  widow's  tears, 
Wreck  of  homes  by  those  who  kill 
On  streets,  railroads,  and  in  the  mill, 
Entreaty,  warnings  and  God's  own  word, 
Will  not  avail  to  stop  this  herd 
Of  men  we've  sheltered  of  foreign  birth — 
The  flotsam  and  jetsam  of  all  the  earth. 

And  this  is  the  nation  of  which  we  boast, 
That  feeds  and  shelters  this  criminal  host 
In  every  city  and  state  and  town. 
The  arm  of  the  law  should  run  them  down 
And  send  them  back  from  whence  they  came, 
Or  hang  them  high  with  the  brand  of  Cain, 
For  their  hellish  crime  on  Wall  Street 


61 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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THE  UP.KAttY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA' 
LOS  ANftEL' 


ro  nice    •• 

3  535*  Great  war  antft 


